Commencement Booklet

STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

Founded in 1971 and located in New York City, the State University of New York College of Optometry is a leader in education, research and patient care, offering the Doctor of Optometry degree as well as MS and PhD degrees in vision science. The College conducts a robust program of basic, translational and clinical research and has over 65 affiliated clinical training sites. SUNY Optometry is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education; its four-year professional degree program and residency programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association. All classrooms, research facilities and the University Eye Center, which is one of the largest optometric outpatient facilities in the nation, are located on 42nd Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues in midtown Manhattan.

WELCOME • GREETINGS

Greetings from the College Council On behalf of the SUNY College of Optometry College Council, I congratulate the Class of 2023. We are proud of all you have accomplished to reach this pivotal milestone in your academic journey. As Doctors of Optometry armed with the finest professional education, you are prepared to play a vital role in our health care system and, in so doing, change lives for the better. We salute you and the good work you will do in your future careers. Gretchen Stone, MAT Chair Greetings from the Alumni Association To the Class of 2023 – The nearly 3,600 alumni association network members congratulate you on this milestone and offer their best wishes as you celebrate commencement. This marks the beginning of your lifelong mem bership in the alumni community and we are proud to welcome you as colleagues to this extraordinary group of professionals. You have not only mastered the rigorous curriculum, but responded with resilience, persis tence, and adaptability to the pandemic crisis presented in the center of your academic journey. The experi ence and training you earned as students have situated you to become a dynamic health care professional capable of contributing substantially to any employment setting. Your past success during extreme challenges is the best predictor of your future accomplishments. We are looking forward to hearing about your new adventures and milestones. Please stay in touch with your SUNY Optometry family and do not hesitate to ask for help. We hope you will enjoy this profession as much as we do, and encourage you to become actively involved with your newest alma mater. Vito Proscia, OD ‘91 President

WELCOME • GREETINGS

Greetings from the Optometric Center of New York (Soon to be the SUNY College of Optometry Foundation)

The Board of Trustees congratulates and salutes the Class of 2023 on this tremendous achievement. The past four years have flown by, but your SUNY College of Optometry experience prepared you well to join your fellow optometrists in practice. Celebrate your success today with the knowledge that you are ready to rise above the challenges of tomorrow. Be proud of becoming a member of the SUNY Optometry alumni community and reach back to lend a hand to those who come after you. Once again, we offer you many congratulations and best wishes as you embark on your career. Richard Soden, OD ‘79 President, Optometric Center of New York Greetings from the New York State Optometric Association On behalf of the New York State Optometric Association, I offer our most heartfelt congratulations and welcome to the Class of 2023 graduates. We look forward to working alongside you as mentors, colleagues, and friends. As you start your careers in optometry, remember that the NYSOA is here to lend a helping hand, support your career, and advocate for the optometric profession. We encourage you to become a member and help champion this wonderful profession. In the meantime, best of luck and once again, congratulations! David Ciccone, OD ‘95 President

ORDER OF EXERCISES

Academic Procession

Music by The Chamberlin Brass

The National Anthem

Mackenzie Chapman Rachel Kim

Welcome

David A. Heath, OD, EdM President, SUNY College of Optometry

Greeting from the Class President

Travis Pfeifer Class President

Commencement Address

Wayne J. Riley, MD, MPH, MBA, MACP President, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University

Presentation of Presidential Medallion

Dr. Heath

Presidential Medallion Recipient

Julia Appel, OD ‘91 Associate Clinical Professor

Conferral of the Honorary

Dr. Heath

Degree Recipients

Honorary Degree Recipients

Ronda Stilley Kotelchuck Chair of the Board of Directors, NY School-Based Health Foundation, Founding CEO (Retired), Primary Care Development Corporation (PCDC) Anne B. Fulton, MD Professor of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School Senior Associate in Ophthalmology at Boston Children’s Hospital

Presentation of Candidates for the Degrees of Doctor of Philosophy in Vision Science Master of Science in Vision Science

David Troilo, PhD

Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs Stewart Bloomfield, PhD Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research

ORDER OF EXERCISES

Conferral of Candidates for Degrees of Doctor of Philosophy in Vision Science Master of Science in Vision Science

Dr. Heath

Presentation of Candidates for Degree of

Dr. Troilo

Doctor of Optometry

Guilherme F.C. Albieri, PhD Vice President for Student Affairs

Conferral of Candidates for Degree of

Dr. Heath

Doctor of Optometry

Recitation of Optometric Oath

Led by Dr. Pfeifer

With full deliberation I freely and solemnly pledge that: I AFFIRM that the health of my patient will be my first consideration.

I WILL practice the art and science of optometry faithfully and conscientiously, and to the fullest scope of my competence. I WILL uphold and honorably promote by example and action the highest standards, ethics and ideals of my chosen profession and the honor of the degree, Doctor of Optometry, which has been granted me. I WILL provide professional care for those who seek my services, with concern, with compassion and with due regard for their human rights and dignity. I WILL place the treatment of those who seek my care above personal gain and strive to see that none shall lack for proper care. I WILL hold as privileged and inviolable all information entrusted to me in confidence by my patients. I WILL advise my patients fully and honestly of all which may serve to restore, maintain or enhance their vision and general health. I WILL strive continuously to broaden my knowledge and skills so that my patients may benefit from all new and efficacious means to enhance the care of human vision. I WILL share information cordially and unselfishly with my fellow optometrists and other professionals for the benefit of patients and the advancement of human knowledge and welfare. I WILL do my utmost to serve my community, my country and humankind as a citizen as well as an optometrist. I HEREBY commit myself to be steadfast in the performance of this my solemn oath and obligation.

Closing Remarks & Congratulations

Dr. Heath

Guests are asked to remain in their seats

Recessional

COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER

Wayne J. Riley, MD, MPH, MBA, MACP

Wayne J. Riley, M.D. is the 17th president of The State University of New York (SUNY), Downstate Health Sciences University (Downstate). Dr. Riley is a distinguished physician, academician, clinician-educator, and administrator who is also a tenured Professor of Medicine and of Health Policy and Management.

Dr. Riley has worked to achieve high levels of excellence across Downstate’s multiple enterprises, which includes academic, healthcare, and research. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from Morehouse School of Medicine. He also earned the Bachelor of Arts in anthropology with a concentration in Medical Anthropology from Yale University, a Master of Public Health degree in health systems management from the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, and a Master of Business Administration from Rice University’s Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business. Immediately prior to joining Downstate, Dr. Riley served as clinical professor of medicine and adjunct professor of healthcare management and health policy at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. He was the 10th president and chief executive officer at Meharry Medical College. He began his career at Baylor College of Medicine, where he completed residency training in internal medicine and rose to vice president and vice dean for Health Affairs and Governmental Relations. During that time, he also served as assistant chief of the medicine service at Ben Taub General Hospital. Dr. Riley is an elected member of the prestigious National Academy of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences where he served as Vice Chair and Chair of the NAM Section on Education and the Administration of Health Services. He is President Emeritus of the American College of Physicians. Other significant posts and memberships include: President of the Society of Medical Administrators, member of the American Clinical and Climatological Association, the Sullivan Alliance to Diversify the Health Professions, the Coalition of Urban Serving Universities as well as many other professional, civic and community organizations. He is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the 2021 National Medical Humanism Medal from the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, election to Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, the Arnold P. Gold Medical Humanism Honor Society, and the Delta Omega Public Health Honor Society. He was awarded the SUNY Downstate Ailanthus Award for Outstanding Public Health Leadership and holds honorary degrees from SUNY Downstate, Tuskegee University, and Mount Saint Joseph University. Dr. Riley has served as a Commissioner of the U.S. Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC). He was also appointed as one of the four co-chairs of the New York City COVID Recovery & Health Equity Task Force by Mayor Eric Adams. Dr. Riley’s current corporate board service includes serving as an Independent Director of HCA Healthcare, Compass Pathways, plc and HeartFlow, Inc.

HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENT • DOCTOR OF SCIENCE

Anne B. Fulton, MD

Anne Fulton, MD, Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School and Senior Associate in Ophthalmology at Boston Children’s Hospital, is an established investigator of normal and abnormal retinal and visual development, sustained by more than four decades of National Eye Institute support. Her seminal work on human rhodopsin defined the constraints on development of key ERG response parameters and continues to guide the investigation of pediatric retinal and visual function. In her clinical practice, she sees infants and children with a broad spectrum of vision-impairing conditions, about half of whom have inherited retinal disorders. Currently active research into the inherited retinal disorders, including X-linked juvenile retinoschisis (RS1) and Stargardt disease (ABCA4), seeks to improve management by advancing understanding of the molecular and cellular basis for the disease. Her retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) studies aim to delineate the role of the neurosensory retina in determining ROP’s consequences for vision and refractive development. Dr. Fulton’s decades of leadership has set the standards for retinal and visual function assessment in eye care facilities worldwide. She has influenced and educated other in the field, authoring over 200 peer-reviewed publications across a range of high impact journals and mentored several eye care professionals and post doctoral research trainees. Through her work, Dr. Fulton continues to collaborate with scientists across the globe to advance eye care.

HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENT • DOCTOR OF HUMANE LETTERS

Ronda Stilley Kotelchuck

Ronda Kotelchuck was the founding CEO of the Primary Care Development Corporation (PCDC), a unique public-private partnership with a mission of expanding access to primary and preventive care in underserved communities. Prior to PCDC, she served with NYC’s Health + Hospitals, the City’s municipal hospital system, rising to Vice President for Corporate Planning and Intergovernmental Relations. Upon retirement in 2015, Ms. Kotelchuck chairs the Board of Directors of the NY School-Based Health Foundation and serves on the boards of the Community Healthcare Network, a federally-qualified health center, and Nonprofit New York, an advocacy organization for New York’s nonprofit organizations. As a seminal figure in the effort to transform the delivery and quality of primary care services in low-income communities Ms. Kotelchuck’s efforts resulted in financing over 130 primary care projects, providing 3.5 million medical visits annually, and enhancing patient-centered processes. Additionally, she has advocated for health care that addresses critical factors such as housing, food, education, and transportation as well as shorter patient wait times. Ms. Kotelchuck’s background is in health planning and policy. She received her BA from Lewis and Clark College and her MRP from Cornell University. She lives with her husband on Manhattan’s West Side and they share two adult daughters and three grandchildren.

CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE, DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN VISION SCIENCE

Reynolds Kwame Ablordeppey Alterations to the Structure and Function of the Retina and Choroid in an Experimental Model of Progressive Myopia Advisor: Dr. Alexandra Benavente-Perez Khulan Batsuuri The Role of Astroglial Connexin43 in Experimental Glaucoma Advisor: Dr. Alexandra Benavente-Perez Sohrab Najafian A Theory of Cortical Map Formation in the Visual Brain

Advisor: Dr. Jose Manuel Alonso Hamed Rahimi Nasrabadi Neural Mechanisms of Luminance Perception Advisor: Dr. Jose Manuel Alonso

CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE, MASTER OF SCIENCE IN VISION SCIENCE

Gulnoza Azieva Development of a Novel Protocol to Evaluate Ocular Surface Health on a Non-Human Primate Advisor: Dr. Alexandra Benavente-Perez Tiffany Ying-Hsuan Chen Digital Eye Strain and Repeated Clinical Testing Advisor: Dr. Mark Rosenfield Stephen Dellostritto Regional Differences in the Relationship Between Retinal Structure and ON-OFF Pathway Function in Myopic Patients Advisor: Dr. Mitchell Dul Behrad Garmsiri Effect of Test Flash Duration on the Photopic Negative Response (PhNR) of the Electroretinogram Advisor: Dr. Suresh Viswanathan Sophia Johnson Effects of Scheduled Breaks on Digital Eye Strain and the 20-20-20 Rule Advisor: Dr. Mark Rosenfield Durpri Lin Effects of Gingko Biloba on Systemic and Retinal Blood Circulation Advisor: Dr. Alexandra Benavente-Perez Zachary Ross Zlatin Auditory Biofeedback Training Improves Accommodation in Children Wearing Multifocal Contact Lenses for Myopia Management Advisor: Dr. Xiaoying Zhu

CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE, DOCTOR OF OPTOMETRY

Hira Alam *+ Courtney Elizabeth Allen**° Eman Al-Yousefy** Gulnoza Azieva+ Eung Jin Brendon Bae Preya Balroop Gabrielah Baruch** Rajesh Batra Erin Nicole Berube* Mary Chrissen Loy Blackman* Veena Madhuri Bokka**° Lindsey C. Boody+ Maria Jose Bustamante*° Mackenzie Chapman° Brandyn Jin-Fuei Chen** Jane Chen** Shilang Chen Tiffany Chen Tiffany Ying-Hsuan Chen**+ Kelly Christianson**° Katheryn Elizabeth Cregan

Imrin K. Goraya** Zachary William Graham** Kristie Hamian Ivana Hanna William Albert Huang**° Rebecca Hung**° Nusrat Jahan Jonathan Astolfo Jara Sophia Johnson Imran S. Khan Nadia Khan Ethan Yooseok Kim Michelle Soyeon Kim° Rachel Young Kim+ Ewa Maria Kowalczyk Rand Hui Lee Sarah Song Lee**

Mesha Patel Prinal Patel Travis Michael Pfeifer**+° Nisim Pilosov Helen Rabin° Ellen Ren Sharnell Cori Robinson David Anthony Rodriguez Jacob Samuel Rosenberg**° Nand Mayur Shah Nina Shimunov Sarah Shin Agatha Sleboda**+ Sacha Sterlin Hannah Nicole Stevens MingYang Su Nazia Tahia* Anson Kiu Tam Georgina Maria Tsakrios Raj Vaidya Max Malcolm Williger**° Joanna Tao Wong**

Sumin Lee Durpri Lin

Avalena Abigail Linsky **° Ashley Marshall Walker**

Frank Cristallo III Tyler D’Agostino

Christina Marzelli Salema Mashriqi Jeney B. Mathew*

Ramal Yaqoob* Sayuj Zachariah Hardy Zhou Zachary Ross Zlatin Alyssa Rose Zoll

Leandra Rene Debono* Caroline Quinn Donato Elaine Kelsey Doxtader Natalie Duider Saba Farid Amanda Fitzpatrick**° Brendan Michael Fu*

Karen Mathew Rashi Mathur Heather Min Marin Nagelberg° Duyen Ngo Jasmine F. Nouravi**+° Eden Nourmand**+°

Behrad Garmsiri+° Diana Geraghty**° Joel Neilson Go Rachel J. Gohari

* Beta Sigma Kappa member ** 4-year BSK member + Gold Key Society member ° Microcredential Certificates

Wanyi Pan**° Aashna Parekh Leslie Park

CANDIDATES FOR THE ADVANCED CERTIFICATE IN OPTOMETRY BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Diana Geraghty

Nand Mayur Shah

RESIDENCY CANDIDATES FOR THE CERTIFICATE OF ADVANCED CLINICAL COMPETENCY *

Irene Bertos, O.D. Alexandria Cloud, O.D. Allie Denise Decker, O.D. Stephen Dellostritto, O.D. Priscilla W. Deng, O.D. Spencer Fairgrieve, O.D. Wai Y. Fung, O.D. Sushma Gangisetty, O.D. Gurkarn Kaur Ghag, O.D.

Aileen Lee, O.D. Jennifer Jing Liu, O.D. Alfredo Mazzuca, O.D. Veronica Jae Moore-Stoll, O.D. Jacob S. Morra, O.D. Lynne Colleen Rader, O.D. Caitlyn Elizabeth Raia, O.D. Lakshmisahithi Rani, O.D., MS Siyun Julie Ren, O.D. Sofia De Souza Ribolla, O.D. Brigette Roman, O.D. Kaitlyn Martina Rooney, O.D. Emily Anne Ortiz, O.D. Omar Perdomo, O.D.

Diana Bassam Serdah, O.D. Stephanie Gayle Solomon,O.D.

Julie FeiFei Song, O.D. Tyler D. Spilman, O.D. Safia Suliman, O.D. Eric Sze, O.D. Brandon Tran, O.D. Breanna Maria Tran, O.D.

Rachel Velez, O.D. Carlos Woc, O.D. Zhenzhu Zhao, O.D. Zirwa Ziamir, O.D.

Jacqueline Tjhie Hartono, O.D Andrea Julianna Hawryluk, O.D. William D. Hogue, O.D. Marlin Kattunilathu John, O.D. Jeannette Wing-Yee Lam, O.D.

* to be presented during residency ceremony

COMMENCEMENT AWARDS

presented during a ceremony this morning

CHANCELLOR’S AWARD for Student Excellence

Tiffany Ying-Hsuan Chen

Eden Nourmand

BETA SIGMA KAPPA AWARD for Academic Excellence

Diana Geraghty

DR. FREDERICK W. BROCK MEMORIAL AWARD

Eden Nourmand

for Outstanding Clinical Performance in Vision Training

COVD AWARD

Rebecca Hung

for Excellence in Vision Training

COLUMBIA CLASS OF 1936 AWARD for Academic & Clinical Achievement in Ocular Disease

Tiffany Chen

CLASS OF 1991 PACE SETTER AWARD

Behrad Garmsiri

for Excellence in Primary Care

DR. STANLEY EISENBERG MEMORIAL AWARD

Maria Jose Bustamante

for Excellence in Practice Development and Administration

DR. WILLIAM FEINBLOOM MEMORIAL AWARD for Outstanding Clinical Proficiency in Low Vision

Amanda Fitzpatrick

IRA GOLDFARB MEMORIAL AWARD

Marin Nagelberg

for Excellence in Low Vision

DR. LOUIS HERRMANN MEMORIAL AWARD for Outstanding Compassion in Patient Care

Amanda Fitzpatrick

COMMENCEMENT AWARDS

presented during a ceremony this morning

MR. AND MRS. IRVING UNGER AWARD

Karen Mathew

for Excellence in Optometry

THE JOSH WALLMAN, PHD MEMORIAL RESEARCH AWARD

Zachary Ross Zlatin

ESTHER J. WERNER MEMORIAL AWARD

Diana Geraghty

for Academic Excellence

DR. MAX COHEN MEMORIAL AWARD

Maria Jose Bustamante Sophia Johnson Ewa Maria Kowalczyk Travis Michael Pfeifer

for Volunteer Commitment to Community Service

DR. BENJAMIN FREED MEMORIAL AWARD

Behrad Garmsiri

for Community Service

MORTON L. KIMMELMAN MEMORIAL AWARD for Student Leadership in Organized Optometry

Hira Alam

BILLIE M. LYONS MEMORIAL AWARD

Gulnoza Azieva

for Distinguished Service to the College Community

Rachel Young Kim Avalena Abigail Linsky

NYSOA AUXILIARY AWARD

Lindsey C. Boody

for Outstanding Service to the Class of 2023

DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION AWARD

Veena Madhuri Bokka

Sponsored by the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

Sophia Johnson

Sharnell Cori Robinson

ABRAM A. HUBAL, OD, STUDENT SERVICE AWARD Sponsored by The New York State Optometric Association (NYSOA)

Jacob Samuel Rosenberg

COMMENCEMENT AWARDS

presented during a ceremony this morning

ALCON AWARD

Tyler D’Agostino

for the Outstanding Case Report on the Use of an Alcon Product

GP LENS INSTITUTE CLINICAL EXCELLENCE AWARD for Outstanding Clinical Proficiency in Contact Lenses

Marin Nagelberg

DR. WILLIAM M. EISENBERG MEMORIAL AWARD

Amanda Fitzpatrick

for Excellence in Ocular Disease Sponsored by Alcon

GOOD-LITE PEDIATRIC AWARD for Excellence in Pediatric Optometry

Veena Madhuri Bokka

ESHENBACH LOW VISION AWARD

Diana Geraghty

for Excellence in Low Vision

JOHNSON & JOHNSON EXCELLENCE AWARD for Excellence in Clinical Contact Lenses Patient Care

Travis Michael Pfeifer

OPTELEC LOW VISION AWARD for Excellence in Low Vision

Gulnoza Azieva

THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER, THE NATIONAL ANTHEM

O say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light,

What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming

Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,

O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming

And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.

O say does that star spangled banner yet wave

O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave.

ACADEMIC REGALIA

The academic gowns that you see today represent a tradition inherited from the universities of the Middle Ages. Those institutions were founded by the Church; the students, being clerics, were obliged to wear clerical gowns and caps at all times. Throughout the ages, this regalia has been altered to accommodate both fashion and fancy. The once round caps were transformed into square mortarboards and the cowls, originally attached to the gown and used for warmth as a shoulder cape and bag for the collection of alms, became a separate garment that was fashioned into the colorful hoods currently worn. These gowns are usually black or the official color of the institution in the United States. The way they are worn and their cut distinguish the wearer’s academic degree. The hood is the most outstanding and colorful feature of the regalia. It is lined with the color of the institution from which the wearer received the degree. Its size and shape indicate the wearer’s degree; and its collar is the color of the academic discipline: Liberal Arts, white; Fine Arts and Architecture, brown; Science, golden yellow; Music, pink; Divinity, scarlet; Law, purple; Engineering, orange; Philosophy, blue; Medicine, green; Public Health, salmon; Forestry, russet; and Nursing, apricot. Seafoam green is the color adopted by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry and filed with the Collegiate Bureau of Academic Costumes. The velvet trim on the hood is seafoam green. The blue and gold satin lining of the hood represent the traditional colors of the State University of New York.

CEREMONIAL MACE

SUNY College of Optometry commissioned a ceremonial mace in honor of the College’s 50th anniversary. The mace reflects the three pillars of our mission – education, research, and service. It further incorporates elements related to optometry and the patients we serve in the heart of New York City. The ceremonial mace is used by Colleges and Universities to symbolize scholarship and integrity. It is used to signify that the proceedings of an event have an official sanction and is only present when the president and other presiding dignitaries are in attendance.

The mace was designed and fabricated by Preston Jones.